Mendoza, Argentina

The overnight bus delivered us from Buenos Aires to Mendoza. Surprisingly comfortable, the bus seats were wide, and fully reclined, very much like a first class airline seat. Along the way, the bus staff conducted a bingo game with a bottle of wine as a prize. Bingo was a game we could play! All we needed to do was to listen to Spanish numbers, something we could all do, though we struggled a bit consistently hearing the difference between sixty and seventy. We didn’t win, but it did pass a few minutes of the ride.

A friend from home, set us up with her recently retired, father who was spending the summer in Mendoza. He showed us around the city and introduced us to alfajores, chocolate covered sandwich cookies, quite a treat.

As another world wine region, this was a not to miss stop for Dad, so we were quickly out of town, among the vineyards, with plans to visit three separate wineries. Boy enjoyed several bunches of Malbec grapes as we toured the area, but preferred playing with the vinyard cat. Lunch at a traditional Argentinian grill included wine, and lots of meat!

Back in the city of Mendoza, we checked out some local parks and playgrounds and strolled through the feria, or market, at Plaza Indepencia during our stay.

Another day saw us out with the locals on summer holiday at the nearby hot springs of Cachueta. The hot springs pools are attached to a water park with a lazy river and a few slides, so lots of families packed the place. Adults enjoyed the thermal baths, while kids ran through the play areas. We heard there was a nearby spa as well, which is less crowded and more relaxing, but the water park was more our speed this time around. Many brought picnics and BBQs, but we enjoyed another asado from the small parilla grill onsite.